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9 Best Lanai Restaurants for You to Try

BySarah Etinas Posted on

Looking for the best restaurants on Lanai, Hawaii? This guide from Hawaii local has all of the best eateries — from the fancy splurges to local joints.

pair of acai bowls from Lanai Wai Juice, one of the best Lanai restaurants, topped with straberries, blueberries, apple bananas, fresh local mangoes, and a sprig of mint, set on a bright green wagon
Photo Courtesy of Lanai Wai Juice

Despite having only about 3,000 residents, the little island of Lanai, Hawaii is home to some incredible restaurants. Dine at upscale oceanfront restaurants like Nobu and Osteria Mozza — both of which have global locations with Michelin stars — or go for casual, locally beloved spots, like Blue Ginger Cafe in Lanai City instead.

Whoever you choose to dine, you’ll be more than satisfied. So, without further ado, here are the best Lanai restaurants for you to try.

1. Malibu Farm

Acai bowl topped with peanut butter, blueberries, and coconut shreds in plastic Sambazon-labeled cup, peaking through bright green leaves

    Price: $$

    Hours: Daily from 11am to 7 pm

    Address: 1 Manele Bay Rd, Lanai City, HI 96763

    The Four Seasons Lanai is home to many of the best restaurants on the island, including Malibu Farm. Modeled after the waterfront restaurant of the same name in Malibu, California, this oceanfront eatery prioritizes using fresh, local ingredients to make its plates — and you can taste the difference. From berry-topped açai bowls and seared ahi tuna nicoise salads to grilled Kauai shrimp skewers and grass-fed beef burgers with Molokai potatoes, a meal at Malibu Farm is always a treat.

    *It’s important to note that the restaurants on the Four Seasons Lanai property give priority to guests. If you’re not staying at the resort, it may be wise to call in advance on the day of and see if they have availability for you.

    2. Nobu Lanai

    Price: $$$

    Hours: Daily from 5:30 pm to 9 pm

    Address: 1 Manele Bay Rd, Lanai City, HI 96763

      When deciding where to eat on Lanai, Nobu Lanai is the place that comes up time and time again, especially if you’re looking for a splurge. This upscale Japanese restaurant has locations all across the globe, but the Lanai location is particularly special with its intimate setting and beautiful ocean views. Enjoy plates like black cod with miso, hamachi sashimi, and Lanai venison tataki-style as you stare out at the beautiful Hulopoe Bay.

      *It’s important to note that the restaurants on the Four Seasons Lanai property give priority to guests. If you’re not staying at the resort, it may be wise to call in advance on the day of and see if they have availability for you.

      3. Sensei by Nobu

      table at fancy restaurant with one seafood-focused plate in the foreground, and lots of blurred wine glasses and seating arrangements in the background

      Price: $$$

      Hours: Daily from 6:30 am to 11 am, 12 pm to 5 pm, and 6 pm to 10 pm

      Address: 1 Keomoku Highway, Lanai City, HI 96763

        While The Four Seasons Lanai is home to Nobu, the island’s second Four Seasons Resort, Sensei Lanai has a Nobu restaurant of its own: Sensei by Nobu. Open for all three meals, the highlight of Sensei by Nobu is its multi-course omasake. Top-tier ingredients are featured in contemporary dishes, like Big Island kampachi with shiso and pan-seared miyazaki A5 wagyu with wasabi pepper sauce. An equally delicious vegan omasake is also available for plant-based guests.

        *It’s important to note that the restaurants on the Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort property give priority to guests. If you’re not staying at the resort, it may be wise to call in advance on the day of and see if they have availability for you.

        4. Osteria Mozza Residency

        A fancy angel hair pasta dish, swirled into a tall tower and drizzled with a tomato and basil-based sauce, along with a few halved cherry tomatoes. If you're in the mood for Italian like this, Osteria Mozza Lanai is the best restaurant for Italian on Lanai.

          Price: $$$

          Hours: Daily from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm

          Address: 1 Manele Bay Rd, Lanai City, HI 96763

          Owned by famed chef, Nancy Silverton, Osteria Mozza Lanai is based on the Michelin-starred Los Angeles restaurant of the same name. The menu is filled with elevated Italian trattoria dishes — think ribeye with high-quality Italian balsamic vinegar, braised chicken with broccolini, and orecchiette pasta with fennel sausage and Swiss chard (which, speaking from personal experience, is delicious).

          Like Nobu and Sensei by Nobu, be prepared to pay a pretty penny for a meal at this Lanai eatery.

          *It’s important to note that the restaurants on the Four Seasons Lanai property give priority to guests. If you’re not staying at the resort, it may be wise to call in advance on the day of and see if they have availability for you.

          5. Ganotisi’s Pacific Rim Cuisine

          A close-up of a Ganostini's plate, complete with rice, mac salad, shrimp tempura, and the Korean fried chicken that makes this pan-Asian eatery one of the best Lanai restaurants.
          Photo Courtesy of Ganotisi’s Pacific Rim Cuisine

            Price: $

            Hours: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm

            Address: 408 8th St, Lanai City, HI 96763

            There are a lot of good things going for the pan-Asian Ganotisi’s Pacific Rim Cuisine — its juicy kalbi, its delicious banana bread, its prime location in the center of town — but there’s one item that keeps people coming back again and again: the Korean fried chicken. It’s crispy, flavorful, and all-around delicious. No wonder people — myself included — can’t stop talking about it!

            Feel free to sit in and enjoy your meal or take it to go on your Lanai adventures.

            6. Blue Ginger Cafe

              Price: $

              Hours: Daily from 7 am to 2 pm

              Address: 409 7th St, Lanai City, HI 96763

              Blue Ginger Cafe has long been a local favorite. This Lanai restaurant just has that cozy, homey kind of cooking, but with an island flair. Get an island-style morning meal, with eggs, rice, spam, and Portuguese sausage, or stop by for lunch where dishes like loco moco (local dish with hamburger patty, rice, gravy, and a fried egg), chicken katsu (Japanese breaded, pan-fried chicken), saimin (local, Asian-inspired noodle dish), and sautéed mahi mahi are up for grabs.

              *Blue Ginger Cafe is cash-only.

              Want to learn more about the many foods that are unique to Hawaii? Start with our Hawaii food bucket list!

              7. Coffee Works

              A cold brew coffee in a tall glass with the swirls of milk still diffusing into it. Coffee Works is the place to get a good ol' cup of joe on Lanai.

                Price: $

                Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 7 am to 3 pm, Saturday from 7 am to 12 pm (Closed Sunday and Monday)

                Address: 604 Ilima Ave, Lanai City, HI 96763

                Just looking for a great cup of coffee to start your day? Look no further than Coffee Works. Located in the middle of Lanai City, this little cafe was actually voted one of the best coffee shops in all of Hawaii — quite an impressive feat for this small-scale establishment.

                Simply put, you’ll want to stop into Coffee Works for your morning cappuccino, espresso, or latte. And feel free to pick up a breakfast sandwich or pastry while you’re at it too!

                Hoping to bring some Hawaiian coffee home with you? Coffee Works sells its own coffee blends — both 100% Hawaiian coffee and mixtures from coffees across the globe. Beyond that, there are many Hawaii coffee companies that’ll ship right to your doorstep.

                8. Lanai City Bar & Grill

                  Price: $$

                  Hours: Tuesday to Wednesday from 4 pm to 9 pm, Thursday from 4 pm to 7:30 pm, Friday to Saturday from 4 pm to 10 pm (Closed Sunday and Monday)

                  Address: 828 Lanai Ave, Lanai City, HI 96763

                  A local hangout, Lanai City Bar & Grill is all around great vibes. The cozy atmosphere and live music are already huge perks, then add the delicious food and drinks — and happy hour — to the mix, and you’ll never want to leave! The Big Island heart of palm salad, ahi tuna poke tostadas, and fresh fish sando are all big hits with locals and visitors alike.

                  Want to add a cocktail to your night out? You won’t be disappointed. Ali’s Secret Spot has fun flavors like yuzu and five spice, while the Kahoolawe Cooler has a familiar rum-orange-pineapple blend with a cool new name.

                  9. Lanai Wai Juice

                  A colorful spread of Lanai Wai Juice offerings, set in a backyard. The spread includes four juices, two smoothies, one acai bowl, and one green bowl. In addition to these delicious items, this locally owned food truck also has in-demand summer rolls and quinoa black bean chili.
                  Photo Courtesy of Lanai Wai Juice

                    Price: $

                    Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm

                    Address: 423 Puulanai Pl, Lanai City, HI 96763

                    Looking for farm fresh juices, açai bowls, summer rolls and more? Look no further than Lanai Wai Juice! This little locally owned food truck is parked in front of a local residence just outside of Lanai City. And while anywhere else in the world this would be sketchy, it’s totally safe on Lanai.

                    All you have to do to order is text to order, and before you know it, you’ll have mouthwatering farm fresh goodies in hand! For more information on the ordering process, check out their Instagram page.

                    And there you have it! All of the best restaurants on Lanai. Whether you’re just visiting as a day trip from Maui or sticking around for a while, we hope this list gives you lots of Lanai food options to fuel your getaway.

                    Read More About the Best of Lanai

                    The best restaurants on Lanai, Hawaii have a little something for everyone, despite the fact that the island is so small. From fancy Italian eateries to casual local joints, these Lanai restaurants are more than worth your time. After all, they're serving up the best Lanai food around #lanai #hawaii #hawaiifood

                    Born and raised in beautiful Hawaii, Sarah is now a successful travel writer, secret adrenaline junky, hater of potatoes, and, of course, author of Borders & Bucket Lists.